As the warmer weather starts, the risk associated with leaving a child unattended in a car goes up exponentially. Statistics report that since 1990, over 600 children have died from being left unattended in hot cars.
We all live very busy lives and it is not uncommon for a parent to forget that a child was in the car. Often a change in routine, running late for a meeting or some unexpected even can throw a parent off and they simply forget a child was in the car with them. Other times, a caregiver intentionally leaves a child in the car, thinking that it “will only be for a few minutes.” Unfortunately, it does not take long for temperatures to soar to dangerous levels.
Here are some important tips that every parent should keep in mind this summer:
Never Leave a Child in a Car, No Matter How Briefly
Let’s face it, getting little ones out of a car seat for a quick trip into a store can be time consuming. However, it is never worth taking a risk! Emergency room doctors report that there is simply no safe amount of time to leave a child in a car. The car in essence becomes a greenhouse, with temperatures soaring in a very short period of time. Also, children are much more susceptible to high temperatures and run a greater risk of heat related illness than adults.
Be Aware of the Dangers
Many parents are simply not aware of the risks involved in leaving a child in a car. For example, if the outdoor temperature is just 72 degrees, the temperature inside a car can rise by 30 to 40 degrees in a single hour. A child that is subjected to these temperatures can easily suffer from heat stroke. Heat stroke occurs when the body’s temperatures reaches over 104 degrees. This can cause confusion, dizziness, heat stroke, seizures, loss of consciousness and death.
If You are a Bystander, Take Action
If you see a child in a car unattended, it is important to call 911 right away. If they are clearly in distress, get them out of the vehicle as quickly as possible.
Stay Aware
Caregivers can easily forget that a child is sleeping in the backseat of a car. According to Mark McDaniel, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Washington at St. Louis, “the memory is faced with a challenge when it needs to remember something that you don’t do everyday, such as take your child to school.” He suggests giving yourself visual reminders, like keeping your child’s diaper bag or toys in the front seat to remind you.
